Category Archives: Agents

IndiGo has commenced operations on two new routes connecting Bhubaneswar with Abu Dhabi and Visakhapatnam respectively, further strengthening regional as well as international connectivity from Odisha. The inaugural flight from Bhubaneshwar to Abu Dhabi, was flagged off by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, expressing his support to IndiGo’s commitment towards making air travel more accessible, convenient, and affordable for customers across the state. The newly launched flights, with support from Odisha government under New Destination Policy, offer direct international connectivity between Bhubaneswar and Abu Dhabi, operating three times a week, as well as enhanced regional access with daily direct flights between Bhubaneswar and Visakhapatnam.

Star Alliance member LOT Polish Airlines is expanding its route network further, with two new destinations that are sure to attract Indian travellers: the world-famous Spanish seaside resort of Malaga and the fascinating city of Marrakesh in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Starting from 15 January 2026, LOT Polish Airlines will connect its global hub at Chopin Airport in Warsaw with beautiful Malaga on Spain’s Costa del Sol. The airline will serve Malaga year-round and starts with four flights per week (Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday), rising the frequency to six weekly services from 24 February 2025. The flights from Warsaw will depart at 10:20h and arrive in Malaga 4:15 hours later. Departure of the return flights from Malaga will be at 15:35h. In addition to Barcelona and Madrid, Malaga will become the third year-round connection to Spain by LOT Polish Airlines. Flights will be operated by modern Boeing B737-800 aircraft offering two classes of service on board. Malaga is a premier destination for international travellers as the city presents itself with an appealing mix out of history, culture, shopping and leisure. Traces of the Roman and Moorish past are omnipresent in the streets, while the city honours its most famous son, the painter Pablo Picasso. Malaga’s 16 beaches are legendary, with the most having been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag for their clean water, high safety standards and excellent facilities. Food lovers will enjoy the fresh Mediterranean cuisine with many vegetarian options. Charming detour to North Africa Already from 29 October 2025, LOT Polish Airlines will serve the famous Moroccan royal city Marrakesh every Wednesday and Saturday from its global hub in Warsaw. Flights of this seasonal service depart …

In the lead-up to the Inter Passenger Terminal Show (IPTS) 2025, Media Fusion LLC hosted a high-impact media roundtable in Mumbai, convening influential voices from the government, aviation, and infrastructure sectors. Held under the theme “Reimagining Airport Passenger Infrastructure through Innovation, Technology, and Sustainability,” the session offered critical insights into building airport ecosystems that are smarter, greener, and future-ready. The roundtable brought together a distinguished panel of speakers: Joseph Gouda, Joint Director, Indian Revenue Service; Sumeet Suseelan, Member, Ministry of Civil Aviation (AAC), Government of India; Geetha Priya G, Senior Director & Sector Head – Infrastructure & Airports, JLL India; Nitin Sharma, DVP – Business Development, dormakaba, Mr. Vikram Falodiya, Head – Terminal Operations, Navi Mumbai International Airport, Nitin Sharma, DVP – Business Development, dormakaba, and Taher Patrawala, Managing Director, Media Fusion LLC. Discussions centred on India’s remarkable aviation trajectory—now the world’s third-largest domestic market, contributing 1.5% to national GDP and supporting 7.7 million jobs. Over the last decade, more than 85 airports have been developed, with a roadmap to scale that number to 350 by 2047 under the government’s Viksit Bharat vision. The roundtable highlighted both the opportunities and the urgency to reshape infrastructure in line with this growth. Speakers outlined key priorities, including the need to bridge infrastructure gaps, reduce import dependencies, and enhance regional connectivity through the UDAN scheme. Strengthening digital ecosystems to manage rising cybersecurity risks was also identified as a crucial area of focus. With over $12 billion already invested in air transport infrastructure, India is setting its sights on capturing a $4 billion share of the global Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) market by 2031, with the aim of establishing itself as a self-reliant aviation hub. The conversation also showcased a suite of transformative technologies shaping airport experiences: biometric-based Digi Yatra, AI-powered digital twins, integrated multi-modal transport systems, and Net Zero, LEED-certified terminals were all cited as pivotal in creating globally benchmarked, passenger-centric infrastructure. Reflecting on …

Seasonal travel trends reflect customer preferences across many destinations, says Hussain Patel, Director, TripJack. He explains, “For instance, Asia Pacific, one of our top-selling regions, sees strong demand. Destinations like Thailand, Vietnam, and Bali experience peak interest from September to May. Year-round favourites such as Dubai and Singapore see a sharp rise during school summer holidays, especially among families. Luxury destinations like Mauritius and Seychelles see increased bookings from September to December. In Europe, France, Italy, and Switzerland are especially popular between April and June, as travellers seek scenic summer getaways. A combination of preferred travel windows and holiday seasons strongly influences these patterns.” To make the most of seasonal demand, Patel says, the company focuses on expanding global inventory. “With over 2 million hotels, our travel partners have easy access to top properties across key destinations. Our 5,000+ directly contracted hotels and Check-In Guarantee program ensure attractive rates and a seamless experience for the end customer. Additionally, our curated holiday packages make it easier for travellers to plan and enjoy stress-free travel. Yes, advance booking and planning are beneficial—our travel partners often book early to secure the best rates. The earlier the booking, the better the pricing, especially during peak travel seasons,” he adds.

Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, said: “Combining our strengths with those of IndiGo, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic, will enable us to offer unparalleled connectivity and convenience, ensuring that our customers enjoy the highest standards of service and reliability across the globe. We look forward to restarting Delta’s direct service from the U.S. to India in the near future.” The service start date will be announced later.

Debjit Dutta, Chairman, IATO West Bengal Chapter, has clarified that the recent news reports of a 3-month tourist ban in the Sundarban Tiger Reserve that created panic across the trade is false. “Upon intervention by IATO West Bengal, the Forest Department has officially confirmed that the news is false and unverified. Such misinformation available on social media severely impacts tourism, disrupts local livelihoods, and damages the reputation of sensitive destinations. Media must verify facts with competent authorities before publishing,” he adds.

According to the latest Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI) report, corporates today are limiting global travel in favour of regional trips. And while people are taking fewer business trips overall, the average duration is longer, suggesting efforts to stretch travel budgets. This shift towards fewer but longer regional business trips indicates a strategic approach to travel budgets.

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has announced the signing of a new hotel in Mysuru. This greenfield project will be branded a Vivanta. Suma Venkatesh, Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development, IHCL said, “Mysuru, with its rich cultural heritage and a diverse economy spanning manufacturing, education, and tourism, continues to evolve as a key urban centre. Enhanced connectivity through recent infrastructure developments like the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway is further boosting travel and tourism in the region. This signing is in line with our strategy to expanding in fast-growing economic and cultural destinations. We are delighted to partner with the Farah Group on this project.” Located near the Hebbal Industrial Area, the 115-key Vivanta, Mysuru will feature an all-day dining restaurant, and a bar. Liaquath Ali Khan, MD, Farah Builders, “We are proud to partner with IHCL to bring the Vivanta brand to Mysuru. This hotel will serve as a contemporary hub for the city’s growing hospitality needs.” Mysuru, steeped in royal heritage and cultural grandeur, is known for its magnificent palaces, vibrant traditions, and historic landmarks, including the Mysuru Palace, Chamundi Hills, and the scenic Brindavan Gardens. With the addition of this hotel, IHCL will have 26 hotels in Karnataka including 12 under development.

To strengthen ties between Oman and India’s travel trade, Oman has organised its Sales Mission in Hyderabad, which brought together industry leaders and tourism professionals from across India. The event saw engaging panel discussions on travel opportunities, strategic networking and relationship-building and insightful presentations showcasing Oman’s unique offerings.

IndiGo is set to enhance its international capacity to Central Asia with the launch of direct flights to three key destinations: Almaty, Tashkent, and Tbilisi. Starting July 1, 2025, IndiGo will commence operations from Mumbai to Almaty, followed by flights to Tashkent from August 01, 2025, and to Tbilisi from August 02, 2025. The airline will operate four weekly flights to both Tashkent and Almaty, and three weekly flights to Tbilisi, significantly enhancing connectivity between India and the growing markets of Central Asia. The new routes are set to boost tourism, trade, and people-to-people ties, while offering customers more travel options across the region. IndiGo had launched flights to these cities from Delhi in 2023, and this move marks another step in the airline’s commitment to expanding its international footprint and meeting the rising demand for international travel. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, said, “Building on the success of our Delhi – Central Asia routes, we are extremely pleased to announce direct flights to Almaty, Tashkent and Tbilisi from Mumbai, reinforcing our commitment to connecting India to the world. These routes will further enhance accessibility to these culturally rich destinations, fostering global connections and enriching tourism. At IndiGo, we anticipate the ever-evolving passenger needs and strive to offer seamless, direct, and reliable travel options.”